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Members,

Currently I have my layout wired "home run" or "star" everything under the layout running back to terminal next to transformer. Everything works fine.

Eventually I will be rewiring my layout and would like to wire it all at table level. Actually up on the layout base along the edge. Wondering if anyone has done that yet? If so how did you cover it, for access?  I want to eliminate crawling under the layout. I think I read somewhere where it was done and was covered by facia that could be easily removed for access. ( Searched OGR Forum archives and did not find any threads)

My layout has 3" pink foam base so easy to cut channel in and hide wires from switches etc. I plan to bring them to the edge and attach to bus wire I think.

I would appreciate any thoughts or experiences. Thank You

-Tom

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In my staging room their are 16' long double stack storage tracks on a hollow knee wall covering the sewer line.

I dropped the 18 ga feeder lines into the hollow void and used a coat hanger to bring them forward through the top of the knee wall and dropped them down into an oversized 3/4" siding "J" channel.

At that point they are spliced into a 14 ga wire and run back to a terminal panel which slides out on drawer slides.  

IMG_8502

Above, the slots above are being cut so as to observe coupler action.   The upper deck height allows manual access to any lower level cars.

Below, the far left end has the main feed from the primary panel which comes in through a 1/2" pvc pipe in the wall to continue on thru the J channel to the small local panel.

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The staging panel flips up for service:

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The left toggle chooses local or main control, the right toggle selects AC or DC for that area alone.

IMG_8515 My main panel also rides on drawer slides which makes work easy.  The panel hinges up and the MTH blocks roll out.

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Note tape colors on the panel which translates to power pack tape colors and terminal strips.  Colored thumb tacks denote block feeders for now.   Plus number tags on wires and terminal strips match the toggle  tag on the panel.

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Although I am running switchable DC or AC conventional cab control around 200' of walls.  I can choose to walk around the entire basement and select to control each train under either discipline and take local control at each town section without affecting train operation anywhere else on the layout.

When the main panel sends a through train into any one of 7 locally operated perimeter towns I can throw a switch and allow the main panel full temporary control while traveling through that town being switched. 

As life goes on I no longer relish crawling under a layout.

 

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Last edited by Tom Tee

Here is my "Table Edge" wiring. I have some back issues so this is great for me. Everything is along the edges for easy access. I also did some wiring on the top of the tables under  some of the buildings.  I don'P9200001P9200004P9200008PB140007PC120001t know how you do this now that Radio Shack is gone - that's most of what I used!!  I also marked what each area was and took a photo to put in book for wiring. I used different color wire for lights and ops, as well as track

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Images (5)
  • P9200001: in top of layout under a building.
  • P9200004
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  • PB140007
  • PC120001

Another thing to consider is an aisle positioned terminal board for service at chair height. It is mounted just below the platform and set back a little from walking knees on an angle for ease.  Made installation very comfortable.

The track diagram panel hinges down held in up position by magnets.

panels 001

These two  panels can also slide back and forth for service and protection.

panels 025

Note proximity of aisle leg lower left.

 

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Images (2)
  • panels 001
  • panels 025

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